Matting Your Artwork

What Is Matting? Matting is the border that surrounds a print, a photograph, a piece of needlework, or any other item that you may choose to have framed. It can be colorful or neutral, depending on the overall look you're wanting to achieve. But did you know that the purpose of matting is not only asthetic? Why Matting? We all know that matting is used to enhance the colors in the piece that is being framed. It's purpose is the draw your eye into the art, not distract from it. The matting can be simple, or you have the option of creative techniques. Adding a mat to the piece being framed can make the difference between a piece that gets lost on your wall or a piece that makes a statement in your room. Mats can highlight a color, accent a shape, or increase the size of the piece. Color choices can also give the illusion of lightening or darkening, and enlarging or shrinking an image. But the matting's main purpose is the prevent the glass from coming in direct contact with the piece that is being framed. It gives your art an area in which air can circulate. Temperature changes between the inside and outside of the frame can cause condensation inside the glass, which in turn may damage the inks and colors, and could also serve as a breeding ground for mold and mildew, if a mat is not used as a "spacer". A mat will also help prevent artwork from buckling, wrinkling, and adhering to the glass. So you see, not only does matting your framed art make it more pleasing to the eye, it also assists in the preservation of the piece.